Gary Oldman says political correctness was behind ’12 Years A Slave’ awards success

Actor defends Mel Gibson and Alec Baldwin while promoting 'Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes'

Gary Oldman has spoken frankly about his views on political correctness in Hollywood, defending both Mel Gibson and Alec Baldwin while claiming that 12 Years A Slave won so many awards as voters were scared of seeming racist.

Speaking to Playboy, ostensibly to promote his appearance in new film Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, Oldman veers onto the subject of political correctness, something he dismisses as “crap.” Clarifying his view on the subject, he adds: “Take a fucking joke. Get over it.”

Moving onto controversial figures in Hollywood, such as Mel Gibson, Oldman continued: “I don’t know about Mel. He got drunk and said a few things, but we’ve all said those things. We’re all fucking hypocrites,” asking, “The policeman who arrested him has never used the word n***** or that fucking Jew?” Gibson was arrested in 2006 and made anti-Semitic remarks to the arresting officer.

Oldman, who has appeared in films such as The Dark Knight Rises and Sid & Nancy, also said he “does not blame” Alec Baldwin for using a homophobic slur in an incident in November 2013.

Furthermore, he suggests that political correctness affects awards season. “At the Oscars, if you didn’t vote for 12 Years A Slave you were a racist,” he says. “You have to be very careful about what you say. I do have particular views and opinions that most of this town doesn’t share, but it’s not like I’m a fascist or a racist.”